relaxation

n 1: the exponential return of a system to equilibrium after a

disturbance [syn: {relaxation behavior}]

2: a state of refreshing tranquility [syn: {easiness}]

3: an occurrence of control or strength weakening; "the

relaxation of requirements": "the loosening of his grip";

"the slackening of the wind" [syn: {loosening}, {slackening}]

4: freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility);

"took his repose by the swimming pool" [syn: {ease}, {rest},

{repose}]

5: the act of making less strict [syn: {liberalization}, {liberalisation}]

relation

1. A subset of the {product} of two sets, R : A

x B. If (a, b) is an element of R then we write a R b,

meaning a is related to b by R. A relation may be:

{reflexive} (a R a), {symmetric} (a R b ◦> b R a),

{transitive} (a R b & b R c ◦> a R c), {antisymmetric} (a R b

& b R a ◦> a ◦ b) or {total} (a R b or b R a).

See {equivalence relation}, {partial ordering}, {pre-order},

{total ordering}.

2. A {table} in a {relational database}.

(1995-02-28)